ID :
41405
Mon, 01/19/2009 - 09:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/41405
The shortlink copeid
Thai PM to meet human rights-related agencies on southern problems
BANGKOK, Jan 19 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will meet human rights advocacy groups on Monday to exchange information with the government on human rights-related issues, particularly the alleged rights violations in the southern border provinces and among migrant workers.
The prime minister's plan came after he led cabinet ministers to visit the southern provinces on Saturday which happened as foreign media reports appeared charging the Thai navy with committing abuses against illegal immigrants from the ethnic Muslim minority Rohingyas population in Myanmar.
The BBC earlier reported that the Royal Thai Navy mishandled illegal immigrants by setting them adrift off the Thai coast on a boat with no engine and limited food and water supplies.
Mr. Abhisit had planned to meet with the National Human Rights Commission and other human rights advocate groups to discuss the human rights violation in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat and human rights abuses against migrant workers.
Thai and international human rights groups earlier reported many times regarding widespread abuse of authority by state security personnel in the southern provinces.
The latest case of complaint was from London-based Amnesty International which said it had information on the use of torture by authorities on suspected insurgents in the region.
Mahidol University's Research Center for Peace Building director Dr. Gothom Arya welcomed the prime minister's plan, saying he would meet Mr. Abhisit on Monday to give information on the problems in the southern provinces and also provide recommendations on solving the problems.
Dr. Gothom welcomed the intention of the government to approach solving problems in the South through political policy as its focus in tackling the problems, rather than giving more emphasis to bureaucrats as in the past.
He also believed that the government would be open to listen to recommendations from other agencies concerned. (TNA)
The prime minister's plan came after he led cabinet ministers to visit the southern provinces on Saturday which happened as foreign media reports appeared charging the Thai navy with committing abuses against illegal immigrants from the ethnic Muslim minority Rohingyas population in Myanmar.
The BBC earlier reported that the Royal Thai Navy mishandled illegal immigrants by setting them adrift off the Thai coast on a boat with no engine and limited food and water supplies.
Mr. Abhisit had planned to meet with the National Human Rights Commission and other human rights advocate groups to discuss the human rights violation in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat and human rights abuses against migrant workers.
Thai and international human rights groups earlier reported many times regarding widespread abuse of authority by state security personnel in the southern provinces.
The latest case of complaint was from London-based Amnesty International which said it had information on the use of torture by authorities on suspected insurgents in the region.
Mahidol University's Research Center for Peace Building director Dr. Gothom Arya welcomed the prime minister's plan, saying he would meet Mr. Abhisit on Monday to give information on the problems in the southern provinces and also provide recommendations on solving the problems.
Dr. Gothom welcomed the intention of the government to approach solving problems in the South through political policy as its focus in tackling the problems, rather than giving more emphasis to bureaucrats as in the past.
He also believed that the government would be open to listen to recommendations from other agencies concerned. (TNA)
